Castle Creole owner Esther JeanBart said the grand opening of the new restaurant will take place soon. JeanBart, who is originally from New York, said she moved to Brandon five years ago.

“When I moved to Brandon, I found in regards to dining, there was a lack of French Caribbean cuisine,” JeanBart said.

She said Castle Creole’s signature dish is an exotic mushroom black rice with stewed conch.

Other specialties include the Labouyi Bannann, which is plantain porridge with fried Griot or a seasoned fried pork.

“Castle Creole will not only serve as a restaurant, but will also serve as a special event space for social, corporate and communities affairs,” she said. “I wanted to contribute to the expansion of the business community in Brandon, while introducing my cultural cuisine.”

The restaurant will serve house wines and offers catering. She plans to have live entertainment.

“Home is where heritage initiates and where in our heart it remains,” she said. “A remembrance of my home is French Caribbean Cuisine. To offer Brandon a taste of my culture is an absolute honor.”

For more information, email CarnegiePR@gmail.com or for information about venue services, email etienne.melissa1@gmail.com.